A tall horse.
Bright red armor.
A proud warrior.
On the streets leading from Kuniyoshi Castle to Gozeyama Castle, Asakura Kageshi sat on his horse proudly and enjoyed the joy of victory.
Strictly speaking, the battle to capture Kuniyoshi Castle was the first time Asakura Kageki led an army to victory alone, although Asakura Kageki also paid nearly a thousand casualties for this (including previous defeats).
But anyway, this is indeed a good start.
After capturing Kuniyoshi Castle, Asakura Kageki immediately sent someone to inform Asakura Sotechi of the good news. After Asakura Sotechi inquired, he didn't say anything. He just said lightly, "It's okay," and then ordered Asakura Kageki to continue marching towards the hinterland of Wakasa.
To deal with the mere Kuriya family, Asakura Soutei would not take action personally. I think back then, Asakura Soutei was a figure who had conquered Wakasa, let alone Kuriya Mototaka. Even Takeda Motomitsu, the former head of the Takeda family, was just a younger brother in front of Asakura Soutei.
After receiving Asakura Sotechi's order to continue marching, Asakura Kageki also immediately pursued the victory. More than a hundred samurai were left to guard Kuniyoshi Castle, and then Yamazaki Yoshie was sent to patrol along the way to ensure logistical supplies. Asakura Kageki led the rest of his troops to march towards Kasumi Castle, hoping to capture the Kuriya family's last stronghold as quickly as possible.
"Report!"
A messenger with three long feathers on his back galloped from the front, and then stopped his horse's hooves at Kageki Kura's side.
"Sir, we found the Kyogoku family's troops ahead, numbering nearly 10,000!"
"The enemy troops have formed formations along the streets and are building anti-horse fences. They are also building masts on the surrounding highlands. The Kyogoku family's ashigaru are logging everywhere in the nearby woods."
After hearing Shiban's words, Asakura Kageki also looked solemn and raised his hand to signal the team to stop first.
A samurai who was commanding the ashigaru from behind quickly came up and asked, "Zaemon Captain, what happened? Why did you stop?"
"Lieutenant Fujiemon, the reconnaissance team just came to report that the Kyogoku family's army was discovered in front of our army."
Qianbo Jingding suddenly looked serious, "This matter should be reported to Ming Zongdi Palace immediately."
"I have already sent someone to inform my father. However, the enemy is blocking our way and setting up formations. It is better to attack while their foothold is not stable! Otherwise, once the enemy is ready, even if my father leads the army to arrive, , then it may not be so easy to defeat the enemy again." Asakura Kageki discussed with Maeha Kagesada.
Maebo Kageding was an important minister of the Asakura family. He had held the position of Ichijogaya for a long time and had a high status in the family. For such a character, even Asakura Kageki has to maintain enough respect for him.
Kagesada Maeba was not very good at military operations, and he was unsure about paying attention to Asakura Kageki's proposal, so he had no choice but to say: "Why don't you call Iwami Mamoru over and listen to Iwami Mamoru's opinion?"
The name Mamoru Iwami mentioned by Maestro Kage was Horie Kageyong, a member of the Asakura family tree. Although his name was not as resounding as Asakura Sotechi's, he was still considered a well-known samurai in the family.
Asakura Kageki accepted the proposal of Maeba Kagesada, and then sent someone to call Horie Kageyong over.
After learning about Asakura Kage's plan, Horie Kage briefly analyzed the situation, and then shook his head firmly, "There is still too little information about the Kyogoku family. If we don't know the enemy's situation, we must not act without authorization. .”
"Kyogoku Sakyo-shin's reputation is not unfounded because of its widespread reputation. We'd better be careful!"
"Wakasa Street is surrounded by dense mountains and forests on both sides. Who knows if the Kyogoku family has ambushed troops on both sides? If we launch an attack rashly, there will be no luck!" Horie Keiyong obviously does not agree with Asakura Keiji's plan.
Asakura Kage's mind was also heated before, and he nodded after listening to Horie Kageyong's analysis.
Therefore, Asakura Kageki could only send out detectives to continue to investigate the situation of the Kyogoku family ahead, while slowing down the troops under his command and slowly continue marching towards Kasumami Castle. At the same time, he also sent someone to report the decision just now to Asakura Sotechi. , and then waited anxiously for instructions from Sotechi Asakura from behind.
Asakura Sotechi had already led his formation to Kuniyoshi Castle at this time. After receiving the report from Asakura Kageki, he made a decision immediately without any consideration.
"Although Captain Zaemon and others did not lose their prudent behavior, they failed to assess the situation!"
"There was no sign of the Kyogoku family sending troops before, and our capture of Kuniyoshi Castle was only the day before yesterday. No matter how quick the Kyogoku family reacted, they had just sent troops from Gozeyama Castle at this time!"
"This army is just the front line of the Kyogoku family. Its purpose is to confuse our family and then slow down our advance!"
"Give orders to Lieutenant Zaemon and others. The front formation is divided into three formations. Horie Ishimi is the front formation, Lieutenant Zaemon is the second formation, and Lieutenant Fujiemon is the third formation. The three of them take turns to attack the Kyogoku family. offensive."
"The three of them will look after each other and try out the skills of the Kyogoku family. If something can be done, the three of them will join forces to attack the enemy together!"
Compared with Asakura Kageki and others, Asakura Sotechi's way of looking at problems is very different.
The experienced Asakura Soutei could see the Kyogoku family's intentions at a glance, or in other words, some of Kyogoku Takamasa's previous small calculations were just leftovers from his own play in Asakura Soutei's eyes.
Asakura Sotechi didn't even need to investigate in person, he had already guessed Kyogoku Takamasa's plan in his heart.
After receiving the instructions from Asakura Sotechi, Asakura Kageki in front quickly gave the order to the two of them. Since it was Asakura Sotechi's order, the two of them could only express their compliance.
The military leader enjoys supreme authority within the Asakura family, at least in terms of military matters.
On the other side, Uesaka Munanobu was also paying close attention to the Asakura family's movements. After seeing the Asakura family's troops march to a stop more than a mile away from him, Uesaka Munanobu also breathed a sigh of relief.
"It seems like what Sakyo Susumu said, the Asakura family does not dare to act rashly!" Uesaka Munanobu and a group of Kyogoku family warriors around him gathered around to discuss.
The total number of troops under Uesaka Munanobu was 6,000, consisting of various members of the Sakata County, retainers, and local servants. Due to Uesaka Munanobu's position as acting magistrate of Sakata County, these people temporarily obeyed Uesaka Munanobu's command.
Mitamura Tadamasa, Shimosaka Masaharu, Kobori Masatoshi and others sat around Uesaka Munanobu, "At the Ministry of Civil Affairs Daifu Hall, the horse-proof fences have been arranged, and the masturbation platforms on both sides of the street are about to be completed."
"The Asakura family has not launched an offensive against us. It seems that everything should be fine today!"
As soon as Mitamura Tamasa finished speaking, he was suddenly slapped in the face at the speed of light.
"Report, the Chaocang family's troops have set up their formation and are heading towards our army!"
Uesaka Munanobu was also surprised. Why didn't the Asakura family follow the routine?
"Inform Sakyo of the situation and enter the palace, and at the same time gather troops to prepare to face the enemy!"
Soon, the sound of conch shells was heard from the Kyogoku family. The spear ashigaru was in front, and the bow and arrow ashigaru were behind. Relying on the horse-proof fences and other arranged facilities, groups of ashigaru were deployed under the command of the heads of the wealthy families. Formation.
The war is about to break out!
